The Beginning

In my post-college life, I was casting around for activities to fill my spacious time. I wanted to try out some different volunteer activities to feel like I was doing something and contributing somehow, and I came across an opportunity at the Children’s Book Bank in Portland. I spent two hours cleaning up donated kids’ books that would be given to underprivileged children.

One statistic they mentioned explains the seriousness of such an endeavor: in middle income families, there are thirteen books per child at home. In low income families (like the ones that the organization works with), there is one book available per three hundred children.

That blew my mind. I had no idea access to books would be that restricted, and I couldn’t even begin to think of how long-lasting the effects of this discrepancy would be. Literacy is such a fundamental and foundational skill, and a lack of comfort with language expression and comprehension will likely cause lifelong setbacks.

I was immediately struck by the mission of this organization. I had a great relationship with books as a child; I was one of those kids who was punished by being grounded from my books. I wanted to give other children the opportunity to explore other worlds and obtain skills that will help them throughout their life – especially when so many people are willing to donate their gently used children’s books. There is a ready supply – all that needs to be done is connecting the books with the kids in need! How could I not help?

I volunteered at five or six more book cleaning events. At the last one, I was talking with the coordinator, and she was explaining how the organization did not extend beyond Portland.

Bam. It hit me. There I was, passionate about this organization and its work, and now here was an opportunity staring me in the face. In other cities, this need may not be currently addressed! This is the first time where I have seen a path that truly excites me and motivates me. It is not an area that I went to school for – I have a degree in science and work in research – but it is something I can imagine dedicating my life to.

Now, I am doing what I can to orient myself to this path. I have been trained to sort the books now and will be volunteering regularly. I plan to learn as much as I can about grant-writing, the structure of the organization, and which other cities might be good candidates for launch sites.

comments

This is such a wonderful idea. I have a Go Mighty goal seeking similar outcomes. I’m trying to help an amazing organization called Family-to-Family grow their literacy initiatives. The one I am particularly fond of is ‘One Book at a Time.’ Maybe there is something we can both learn from each other!

Wow, I really like the One Book at a Time project! It is fantastic and valuable to learn about these different ways of connecting kids with books – thank you for sharing it with me. I think I also might participate in the program, I think it is a great idea.

Seattle seems like a city that would be overwhelmingly supportive of a Children’s Book Bank, and I’ll continue to brainstorm (with my third-grade-teaching husband, among others), about how to support your endeavor!

Hi Libby,
Please let me know when you are ready for volunteers in Seattle, I’m ready to help!
I grew up with books as my main form of entertainment (bored? read a book!) and it pains me to think of kids growing up without that opportunity to exercise their imagination.

Thank you, and I absolutely will! I’m sure this will be quite a process to get anything going, but I will keep you in mind for the day things get going! And I completely agree about how important and amazing books are for kids – so powerful.

Hi Libby!
I am very impressed with your dedication to such an important cause! As the mother to two young daughters, I know how important it is to have books and reading material available. I’d like to offer you my time and knowledge of the nonprofit world. I have significant professional experience with nonprofits, and have served on a few boards, offering strategic advice to move them forward in their goals. I’d be happy to share my time and thoughts with you, like an advisor, if you need help in designing a plan, or putting it into actionable items or just figuring out what to do next.